Lens drive device

ABSTRACT

A lens drive device includes a lens holder capable of holding at least one lens and a frame arranged around the holder and holding the holder relatively movable along a light axis of the lens. At least three stopper convex portions protruding toward the frame are formed on an outer circumference of the holder. Stopper concave portions housing each of the stopper convex portions are formed on the frame correspondingly to the stopper convex portions. A convex intersection corner between the first convex end surface and the convex side surface has a chamfering portion or an R curved surface portion to avoid touching a concave intersection corner between the concave bottom surface and the concave side surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lens drive device favorably used fora camera module of mobile phones, for example.

2. Description of the Related Art

In lens drive devices favorably used for a camera module of mobilephones, a device for carrying out an auto-focusing operation by moving alens holder holding a lens to a frame in a light axis direction is indevelopment.

In conventional devices, Patent Document 1 proposes to provide stopperconvex portions on an outer circumferential portion of a lens holder forlimiting an axial movement of the lens holder to a frame.

However, the conventional device is provided with two types of stopperconvex portions including stopper convex portions for limiting an upwardmovement and stopper convex portions for limiting a downward movementand is provided with eight convex portions in total in a circumferentialdirection, and the conventional device is thus disadvantageous indownsizing. The conventional device is also disadvantageous in that in adrop of a device containing the conventional lens drive device, cornersof the stopper convex portions collide with concave portions of theframe, are chipped easily, and generate scrap easily. Furthermore, theconventional device is disadvantageous in that the breakage of the frameand the distortion of the lens holder are generated easily due to a dropimpact.

Patent Document 1: JP 2015-232682A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved under such circumstances. It isan object of the invention to provide a lens drive device capable ofpreventing breakage of a frame and distortion of a lens holder due to adrop impact and restraining generation of scrap.

To achieve the above object, the lens drive device according to a firstaspect of the present invention is a lens drive device including:

a lens holder capable of holding at least one lens;

a frame arranged around the lens holder and holding the lens holderrelatively movable along a light axis of the lens; and

a drive portion in a light axis direction moving the lens holderrelatively to the frame along the light axis,

wherein at least three stopper convex portions protruding toward theframe are formed on an outer circumference of the lens holder,

stopper concave portions housing each of the stopper convex portions areformed on the frame correspondingly to the stopper convex portions,

the stopper concave portion is provided with a concave bottom surfacecapable of being in surface contact with a first convex end surface ofthe stopper convex portion in the light axis direction and a concaveside surface capable of being in surface contact with a convex sidesurface crossing the first convex end surface of the stopper convexportion, and

a convex intersection corner between the first convex end surface andthe convex side surface is provided with one of a chamfering portion andan R curved surface portion so as not to touch a concave intersectioncorner between the concave bottom surface and the concave side surface.

In the lens drive device according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, a chamfering portion or an R curved surface portion is formedat the convex intersection corner of the stopper convex portion. Thus,the convex intersection corner does not touch the concave intersectioncorner between the concave bottom surface and the concave side surface.Thus, even if a device including the lens drive device is dropped, thecorner of the stopper convex portion does not collide with the concaveportion of the frame, and thus the corner is hard to be chipped and hardto generate scrap. In the lens drive device according to the firstaspect of the present invention, the collisions between the surfaces ofthe stopper convex portions and the surfaces of the stopper concaveportions just occurs at the time of falling, and the breakage of theframe and the distortion of the lens holder due to a drop impact arehard to occur.

The frame may be provided with a magnet component constituting a part ofthe drive portion in the light axis direction,

the magnet component may be attached to the frame so that a secondconvex end surface of the stopper convex portion positioned on anopposite side of the first convex end surface in the light axisdirection can be in surface contact with an end surface of the magnetcomponent in the light axis direction, and

the stopper convex portion may be inserted in the stopper concaveportion so as to be movable between the concave bottom surface and themagnet component in the light axis direction.

This configuration can effectively limit a movement range of the lensholder to the frame in the light axis direction without increase in thenumber of parts and contributes to downsizing of the device.

The frame may have a polygonal ring shape, and the stopper concaveportions may be formed at positions of sides of the polygonal ring shape(e.g. rectangular ring shape). In this case, an IC chip or so can bearranged at the corner of the polygonal ring shape (e.g. rectangle).

The frame may be covered with a case,

the stopper concave portion may be open in the light axis direction sothat a second convex end surface of the stopper convex portionpositioned on an opposite side of the first convex end surface in thelight axis direction can be in surface contact with an inner surface ofthe case in the light axis direction, and

the stopper convex portion may be inserted in the stopper concaveportions so as to be movable between the concave bottom surface and theinner surface of the case in the light axis direction.

This configuration can effectively limit a movement range of the lensholder to the frame in the light axis direction without increase in thenumber of parts and contributes to downsizing of the device.

The frame may have a polygonal ring shape, and the stopper concaveportions may be formed at positions of corners of the polygonal ringshape (e.g. rectangular ring shape). This configuration can effectivelyutilize the positions of the corners and contributes to downsizing ofthe device.

The stopper convex portion may be provided with a thick portion. Thestopper convex portion has an increased strength by forming the thickportion.

The thick portion may be formed on the same side as the first convex endsurface at a position not in contact with the frame. The thick portionmay gradually become thicker in the light axis direction toward a centerof the light axis. This configuration improves a reinforcement function.

The lens drive device according to a second aspect of the presentinvention is a lens drive device including:

a lens holder capable of holding at least one lens;

a frame arranged around the lens holder and holding the lens holderrelatively movable along a light axis of the lens; and

a drive portion in a light axis direction moving the lens holderrelatively to the frame along the light axis,

wherein at least three stopper convex portions protruding toward theframe are formed on an outer circumference of the lens holder,

stopper concave portions housing each of the stopper convex portions areformed on the frame correspondingly to the stopper convex portions,

the stopper concave portions is provided with a concave bottom surfacecapable of being in surface contact with a first convex end surface ofthe stopper convex portion in the light axis direction and a concaveside surface capable of being in surface contact with a convex sidesurface crossing the first convex end surface of the stopper convexportion, and

a concave intersection corner between the concave bottom surface and theconcave side surface is provided with a relief portion so as not totouch a convex intersection corner between the first convex end surfaceand the convex side surface.

In the lens drive device according to the second aspect of the presentinvention, the relief portion is formed at the concave intersectioncorner of the stopper concave portion so as not to touch the convexintersection corner. Thus, even if a device including the lens drivedevice is dropped, the corner of the stopper convex portion does notcollide with the concave portion of the frame, and thus the corner ishard to be chipped and hard to generate dust. In the lens drive deviceaccording to the second aspect of the present invention, the collisionsbetween the surfaces of the stopper convex portions and the surfaces ofthe stopper concave portions just occur at the time of falling, and thebreakage of the frame and the distortion of the lens holder due to adrop impact are hard to occur.

The lens drive device of the present invention may further include:

an elastic member configured to hold the lens holder relatively movableto the frame along the light axis of the lens;

a support portion connecting the elastic member and a fixed portion sothat the frame is supported movably to the fixed portion along adirection crossing the light axis; and

a drive portion in an intersection direction configured to move theframe to the fixed portion along the direction crossing the light axis.

The elastic member may include:

a holder attachment portion attached to the lens holder;

a frame attachment portion attached to the frame; and

a support attachment portion attached to the support portion, andwherein

a space may be formed between the frame and a part of the elastic memberpositioned between the frame attachment portion and the supportattachment portion, and

a vibration absorption member may be arranged in the space.

In the lens drive device with these configurations, the frame as amovable portion can be effectively prevented from vibrating in the lightaxis direction due to a cooperation effect of the elastic member and thevibration absorption member. As a result, it is possible to preventgeneration of a resonance point (e.g. around 300 Hz) with frequencyproperties of AF driving. Thus, it is possible to effectively preventdeviation in focus even if a photographer moves particularly when takingmoving images. Furthermore, resonance restraint effects are improved,and a resonance restraint effect in a blur correction direction isparticularly improved. In addition, the space between a part of theelastic member and the frame functions as a reservoir for the vibrationabsorption member at the position where the vibration absorption memberis arranged, and the vibration absorption member does not fall off fromthe space.

The vibration absorption member may be arranged away from the supportattachment portion along an outer shape of the frame. In thisconfiguration, the movable portion can be further effectively preventedfrom vibrating in the light axis direction.

For example, the frame may have an approximately rectangular ring shape,and the vibration absorption members may be arranged away from thesupport attachment portion at two or more points near each four cornerof the frame along the outer shape of the frame. In this configuration,the frame as a movable portion can be further effectively prevented fromvibrating in the light axis direction.

For example, the elastic members may be arranged at the four corners ofthe frame respectively in a separated and insulated manner. In thisconfiguration, four conductive passages from the fixed portion to thelens holder can be formed by using the four support portions made of aconductive member and the four elastic members made of a conductivemember.

For example, the frame may be provided with a notch so that the supportattachment portion of the elastic member is arranged outside the frame.In this configuration, for example, it becomes easy to connect a tip ofthe support portion constituted by the suspension wire and the elasticmember while maintaining a small size of the frame. The movement of theframe in the directions crossing the light axis can become smoother.

For example, the frame is provided with a first step surface recessed inthe light axis direction for forming a space, and the vibrationabsorption member is arranged in the space between the first stepsurface and the elastic member. In this configuration, the vibrationabsorption member is filled easily, and the vibration absorption memberonce filled does not easily come off from the space.

For example, the case fixed to the fixed portion is arranged outside theframe, the frame is provided with a second step surface recessed in anapproximately vertical direction to the light axis from an outer surfaceof the frame where the frame may touch an inner surface of the case dueto a relative movement of the frame, and a contact surface of the frametouched by the vibration absorption member is arranged inner side of thesecond step surface.

In this configuration, since the contact surface of the frame touched bythe vibration absorption member is arranged inner side of the secondstep surface, even if the frame moves to the directions crossing thelight axis in the case and touches the inner circumferential surface ofthe case, the vibration absorption material does not touch the innercircumferential surface of the case, and the vibration absorptionmaterial hardly drops or is peeled off from a predetermined positiontoward the inner circumferential surface of the case.

For example, the vibration absorption member may be in contact with asecond surface of the elastic member positioned on the opposite side ofa first surface of the elastic member touched by the vibrationabsorption member arranged in the space. In this configuration, theelastic member touches the vibration absorption member from bothsurfaces of the first surface and the second surface, and vibrationrestraint effect is further enhanced.

For example, a through hole going through the first surface and thesecond surface is preferably formed at a part of the elastic memberwhere the vibration absorption member touch both of the first and secondsurfaces. In this configuration, it becomes easy to fill the vibrationabsorption member via the through hole and further becomes easy toarrange the vibration absorption member on both surfaces of the elasticmember.

For example, the support attachment portion formed on the elastic membermay have a U shape recessed inward. In this configuration, for example,the tip of the support portion constituted by the suspension wire or socan be easily attached to the support attachment portion of the elasticmember via the concave portion with U shape.

For example, the support attachment portion may be formed in anintersection between a pair of arm portions continued from the frameattachment portion, each of the arm portions may have a portion not incontact with the vibration absorption member, and in addition to theintersection of the arm portions, the elastic member may be providedwith a bridge portion bridging the arm portions.

In this configuration, it is possible to disperse a stress concentratedon the arm portions into the bridge portion, improve strength of thesupport attachment portions, and effectively prevent the tip of thesupport portion constituted by the suspension wire or so from coming offthe support attachment portion of the elastic member.

For example, the arm portions may have a portion where the elasticmember becomes narrow in the middle of the arm portions from the frameattachment portion toward the support attachment portion. In thisconfiguration, the support attachment portion has an improved elasticityand can effectively prevent the buckling of the support portionconstituted by the suspension wire or so.

For example, the support attachment portion may be provided with atongue portion, and the vibration absorption member may be arrangedbetween at least a part of the tongue portion and the frame. In thisconfiguration, resonance restraint effects are improved, and a resonancerestraint effect in blur correction directions is particularly improved.The tongue portion may be configured by protruding from the supportattachment portion toward the light axis. In this configuration, a partof the tongue portion touches the frame via the vibration absorptionmember without interfering with a part of the elastic member, andresonance restraint effect is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a whole perspective view of a lens drive device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a whole perspective view showing the inside of the lens drivedevice without a case shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a whole perspective view of the lens drive device without thecase shown in FIG. 1B seen from a different angle.

FIG. 1D is a partially enlarged schematic view showing a damper materialfilled between a back surface of a frame and a pedestal shown in FIG.1C.

FIG. 1EA to FIG. 1EC are a partially enlarged schematic view showing avariation of a first damper material.

FIG. 1F is a partially perspective view showing a detail of a connectionportion with a suspension wire of a front spring shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1G is a partially plane view showing a detail of the connectionportion with the suspension wire of the front spring shown in FIG. 1F.

FIG. 1H is a partially side view showing a detail of the connectionportion with the suspension wire of the front spring shown in FIG. 1F.

FIG. 1I is a partially perspective view showing a detail of a connectionportion with a suspension wire of a front spring used for a lens drivedevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1J is a partially plane view showing a detail of the connectionportion with the suspension wire of the front spring shown in FIG. 1I.

FIG. 1K is a partially perspective view showing a detail of a connectionportion with a suspension wire of a front spring used for a lens drivedevice according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1L is a partially plane view showing a detail of the connectionportion with the suspension wire of the front spring shown in FIG. 1K.

FIG. 1M is a partially perspective view showing a detail of a connectionportion with a suspension wire of a front spring used for a lens drivedevice according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1N is a partially plane view showing a detail of the connectionportion with the suspension wire of the front spring shown in FIG. 1M.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens drive device withoutthe case shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a lens holder shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the lens holder shown in FIG. 3A seenfrom a different angle.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 4A seen from adifferent angle.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view where the frame and the lens holder shownFIG. 2 are combined.

FIG. 4D is a partially enlarged view of main parts of the frame and thelens holder shown in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E is a partially enlarged view of a main part of only the frameshown in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A is a plane view where a circuit board and drive coils arearranged on a base portion shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B is a plane view of first drive coils shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a plane view of second drive coils shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a partially assembled view where thecircuit board and the drive coils are arranged on the base portion shownin FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is an enlarged plane view of FIG. 5A and shows a relationbetween a lens and an opening portion.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along VII-VII line shown in FIG. 6B andis a cross sectional view where a frame and a lens holder are alsocombined in an upper part in the Z-axis direction of the partiallyassembled view shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a main part along VIII-VIII line ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plane view where a frame and a lens holder of a lens drivedevice according to another embodiment of the present invention arecombined.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a main part along X-X line of FIG.9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based onembodiments shown in the figures.

First Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1A, a lens drive device 2 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention has a base portion 10 and a case 11 as fixedportions. The base portion 10 and the case 11 are joined at a rearopening edge of the case 11 in the Z-axis direction. In the case 11, asshown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, a circuit board 20 constituted by a FPC orso, a lens holder 40, and a frame 60 are arranged toward the front ofthe base portion 10 in the Z-axis direction. The lens holder 40 and theframe 60 constitute a movable portion for blur correction to the fixedportion.

A central area of the circuit board 20 is provided with a board openingportion 22 going through front and back surfaces. The board openingportion 22 is inserted by a cylindrical convex portion 14 formed in acentral area of the base portion 10. The cylindrical convex portion 14constitute an opening edge of a base opening portion 12. The surface(front surface) of the circuit board 20 is equipped with a blurcorrection coil 30 along a periphery of the board opening portion 22.Incidentally, the circuit board 20 is integrated with the base portion10 and constitute a part of the fixed portions.

As described below, the blur correction coil 30 has a pair of firstdrive coils 30 a constituting a first drive axis and a pair of seconddrive coils 30 b constituting a second drive axis approximatelyvertically crossing the first drive axis. The drive coils 30 a and 30 bare fixed to the surface of the circuit board 20 by an adhesive or so.

The circuit board 20 has a rectangular plate shape as a whole, and aside of outer shape of the rectangular shape is provided with aconnector portion 23 for connection with an external circuit.Incidentally, all of the figures are explained with the Z-axis directionparallel to a light axis of a lens 100 (see FIG. 7) capable of beingheld on an inner circumferential surface 48 of the lens holder 40 andthe X-axis and Y-axis directions vertical to the light axis (an exampleof crossing directions).

Incidentally, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are vertical toeach other. In the present embodiment, the X-axis corresponds to thefirst drive axis, and the Y-axis corresponds to the second drive axis.The front surface or the front side along the Z-axis represents anupward direction and represents an object side to the lens in FIG. 2 andFIG. 7. The back surface or the back side along the Z-axis represents adownward direction and represents an imaging element side to the lens inFIG. 2 and FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 10 consists of a base plate mainbody 10 a and wire rear edge attachment pieces 10 b respectivelyattached to four corners of the base plate main body 10 a. Each of thewire rear edge attachment pieces 10 b is provided with a rear edge ofsingle suspension wires 16. The suspension wires 16 as support portionsrespectively extend forward in the Z-axis direction (upper part of FIG.2) from four corners of the base portion 10 by going through fourcorners of the circuit board 20.

Holder attachment portions 93 a to 93 d of a front spring 90 areattached and fixed to a front surface 42 of the lens holder 40 shown inFIG. 2. A sensor component 41 is attached to a part of a periphery of anouter circumferential surface 47 of the lens holder 40. For example, thesensor component 41 is constituted by a hall IC component that detects arelative movement to a hall element (hall magnet) and detects a relativeposition of the lens holder 40 to the frame 60 in the Z-axis direction.The inner surface of the frame 60 corresponding to the sensor component41 is equipped with a hall magnet not illustrated.

In the present embodiment, the lens holder 40 is equipped with thesensor component 41, and it is thus possible to detect a position of thelens holder 40 to the frame 60 in the Z-axis direction accurately inreal time and achieve an accurate and quick AF operation for driving thelens holder 40 in the Z-axis direction based on the detection results.Incidentally, in this control, the lens holder 40 is driven based on adetection signal of the sensor component 41 especially when the frame 60resonates in the Z-axis direction, and thus the vibration may increase.In the present embodiment, such a situation can be effectively preventedby only a vibration absorption member 70 c mentioned below (orcooperation function with 70 b, or cooperation function with 70 a).

As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, the front spring 90 as an elastic memberconsists of four board dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d divided andinsulated to each other. The dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d havewire attachment portions (support attachment portions) 92 a to 92 d,respectively, to which front edges of the suspension wires 16 areattached. Each of the suspension wires 16 and the dividing plate springs90 a to 90 d is constituted by a conductive material, such as a metal,and is electrically conductive.

Each of the suspension wires 16 is freely bendable and elasticallydeformable along a driving plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis.Incidentally, the suspension wires 16 can be also elastically deformedin the Z-axis direction when received an excessive force, but in anordinary lens driving operation, each of the suspension wires 16 isfreely elastically deformed along the driving plane including the X-axisand the Y-axis. As shown in FIG. 4A, each of four corners of the frame60 is provided with a notch 62 so that the rear edges of the suspensionwires 16 are easily connected to each of the wire attachment portions 92a to 92 d of the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d.

Each of the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d has frame attachmentportions 94 a to 94 d continuously from the wire attachment portions 92a to 92 d. For example, each of the frame attachment portions 94 a to 94d is fixed by being attached to a front surface 64 of the frame 60 witha rectangular ring shape shown in FIG. 4A. The frame 60 itself isconstituted by an insulation material, such as plastic.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the front surface 64 positioned at the corner ofthe frame 60 is preferably provided with a plurality of attachmentconvex portions 65. The attachment convex portions 65 are engaged withengagement holes formed on the frame attachment portions 94 a to 94 d ofthe dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2 soas to position the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d to the frame 60and fix them. Back surfaces of each of the dividing plate springs' 90 ato 90 d are closely fixed to the front surfaces 64 positioned at thecorners of the frame 60. When closely fixing the back surfaces, anadhesive may be used.

The frame attachment portions 94 a to 94 d of the dividing plate springs90 a to 90 d are respectively provided with the holder attachmentportions 93 a to 93 d via meandering portions 95 a to 95 d. Each of theholder attachment portions 93 a to 93 d is provided with an engagementhole, and this engagement hole is engaged with attachment convexportions 43 a to 43 d formed approximately uniformly around the frontsurface 42 of the lens holder 40 also shown in FIG. 3A.

That is, the meandering portions 95 a to 95 d are deformed elastically,and the front spring 90 holds the lens holder 40 movably to the frame 60in the Z-axis direction of the light axis direction by the holderattachment portions 93 a to 93 d formed at an inner circumferential edgeof the front spring 90.

The dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d of the front spring 90 areseparately connected to each of the suspension wires 16, and areconnected to a wiring pattern formed on the front surface of the lensholder 40. Thus, a driving current is supplied to a focus coil 46 heldin the lens holder 40 via the suspension wires 16 and the front spring90, and a detection signal detected by the sensor component 41 can betransmitted to the circuit board 20. Each of the suspension wires 16 canbe electrically connected to the wiring pattern on the circuit board 20.That is, four conductive passages from the circuit board 20 of the fixedportion to the lens holder 40 can be formed by using the four suspensionwires 16 made of a conductive member and the four dividing plate springs90 a to 90 d made of a conductive member.

As shown in FIG. 3B, plate spring attachment portions 44 a and 44 b withcircular shapes are formed on the back surface 45 of the lens holder 40.A step portion 49 is formed on the back side of the outercircumferential surface 47 of the lens holder 40. The focus coil 46 witha rectangular ring shape shown in FIG. 2 is fixed to the step portion49.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rear spring 50 consists of a pair of dividingplate springs 50 a and 50 b. Holder attachment portions 54 a and 54 bwith circular shapes are formed on inner circumferential portions of thedividing plate springs 50 a and 50 b. The holder attachment portions 54a and 54 b are respectively fixed to the plate spring attachmentportions 44 a and 44 b shown in FIG. 3B. The rear spring 50 is fixed tothe plate spring attachment portions 44 a and 44 b by any means, such asengagement and adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 2, meandering portions 55 a and 55 b are formedcontinuously on both sides of the holder attachment portions 54 a and 54b of the dividing plate springs 50 a and 50 b of the rear spring 50, andframe attachment portions 52 a and 52 b are formed continuously on theouter circumferential side of the meandering portions 55 a and 55 b.Each of the frame attachment portions 52 a and 52 b is fixed by beingengaged with corner back surfaces 68 of the frame 60.

That is, as is the case with the front spring 90, the meanderingportions 55 a to 55 d are deformed elastically, and the rear spring 50holds the lens holder 40 movably to the frame 60 in the Z-axis directionof the light axis direction by the holder attachment portions 54 a to 54d formed at an inner circumferential edge of the rear spring 50. Unlikethe front spring 90, however, the rear spring 50 does not need tofunction as an electrically conductive passage.

As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, magnet attachment concave portions 66are formed along four sides of the frame 60 with a rectangular ringshape on the rear side in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2 andFIG. 7, a two-way magnet 80 is fixed in the magnet attachment concaveportions 66 via a magnetic body plate 61. Incidentally, the magneticbody plate 61 constitutes a part of the magnet component including themagnet 80, but is not necessarily equipped. The magnet component may beconstituted by only the magnet 80.

As shown in FIG. 7, the frame 60 is held in the base portion 10 by thesuspension wires 16 so that a space (driving space) is formed betweenthe back surface of the two-way magnet 80 and the front surface of theblur correction coil 30. The frame 60 is held movably to the baseportion 10 along the driving plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis.

The lens holder 40 is held movably in the Z-axis direction in the frame60 via the front spring 90 and the rear spring 50 shown in FIG. 2, andthus the lens holder 40 also moves with the frame 60 to the base portion10 along the driving plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis.

A driving current flows through the blur correction coil 30 to apply aforce in a vertical direction to the light axis to the two-way magnet 80due to a cooperation effect of the coil 30 and the two-way magnet 80.Thus, along with the frame 60 and the lens holder 40, the frame 60 canmove to the base portion 10 along the driving plane including the X-axisand the Y-axis. The lens 100 moves along the driving plane with the lensholder 40, and a blur correction operation can be carried out.

The lens holder 40 is held in the frame 60 via the springs 90 and 50(see FIG. 2) so that a space is formed between the inner circumferentialsurface of the two-way magnet 80 and the outer circumferential surfaceof the focus coil 46. A driving current flows through the focus coil 46to apply a force in the light axis to the coil 46 due to a cooperationeffect of the coil 46 and the two-way magnet 80 (VCM effects). Thus, thelens holder 40 can move back and forward in the light axis directionwith the lens 100. The lens 100 moves to the frame 60 in the light axisdirection with the lens holder 40, and an automatic focus (AF) operationcan be carried out.

In the present embodiment, the two-way magnet 80 functions as a magnetfor AF control and a magnet for blur correction control, and it is thuspossible to reduce the number of parts and carry out an AF control and ablur correction control with a simple configuration. Furthermore, thetwo-way magnet 80 contributes to downsizing of the lens drive device 2.

Incidentally, the lens 100 may be constituted by a plurality of lensgroups, but is considered to be constituted by one lens for easyplanation in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the blur correction coil 30 consists ofa pair of the first drive coils 30 a and 30 a sandwiching the openingportion 12 along the X-axis direction and opposing to each other and apair of the second drive coils 30 b and 30 b sandwiching the openingportion 12 along the Y-axis direction and opposing to each other. Thedrive coils 30 a and 30 b are arranged as a whole in parallel to eachside of the circuit board 20 on the front surface of the circuit board20 with a rectangular plate shape so as to surround the cylindricalconvex portion 14.

The first drive coils 30 a and 30 a opposing to each other along theX-axis direction are slightly displaced in the Y-axis direction, and thesecond drive coils 30 b and 30 b opposing to each other along the Y-axisdirection are also slightly displaced in the X-axis direction. Thereason why the drive coils 30 a and 30 b are displaced along thecircumferential direction in the same direction is that position sensors18 a and 18 b, the damper stands (pedestals) 24, and the like, areeasily arranged at the four corners of the circuit board 20, and thatthrough holes of the suspension wires 16 are formed easily.

The position sensor 18 a is constituted by a hall sensor, for example.The sensor 18 a faces a back surface of one of first drive magnets 80 aof the two-way magnet 80 shown in FIG. 2 with a predetermined spacealong with one of the first drive coils 30 a and can detect a movementposition of the first drive magnet 80 a in the X-axis direction. Theposition sensor 18 b is constituted by a hall sensor, for example. Thesensor 18 b faces a back surface of one of second drive magnets 80 b ofthe two-way magnet 80 shown in FIG. 2 with a predetermined space alongwith one of the second drive coils 30 b and can detect a movementposition of the second drive magnet 80 b in the Y-axis direction. Thesensors 18 a and 18 b are electrically connected to the wiring patternon the circuit board 20.

In the present embodiment, the first drive coils 30 a and the firstdrive magnets 80 a are arranged to face each other along the Z-axisdirection with a predetermined space (driving space) and constitute afirst drive portion (first VCM) for blur correction, and the seconddrive coils 30 b and the second drive magnets 80 b are arranged to faceeach other along the Z-axis direction with a predetermined space(driving space) and constitute a second drive portion (second VCM) forblur correction. The first drive axis of the first drive portion is theX-axis, and the second drive axis of the second drive portion is theY-axis. The first drive portion and the second drive portion constitutea drive portion in an intersection direction.

The damper stands (pedestals) 24 shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B arerespectively fixed to the four corners of the circuit board 20 by ameans of adhesive, brazing, or the like. The damper stands 24 areconstituted by a chip component, such as a ceramic electronic component.

As shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, a space with space width W1 (firstdamper space) is formed between the front surface of the damper stand 24and the corner back surface 68 or the back surface convex portion 69 ofthe frame 60, and a gel first damper material (vibration absorptionmember) 70 a is interposed in the first damper space so as to closelytouch both the front surface of the damper stand 24 and the corner backsurface 68 or the back surface convex portion 69. The space width W1 islarger than a width W0 of the space between the two-way magnet 80 andthe blur correction coil 30 (driving space), and is preferably about 0.1to 0.4 mm.

The first damper material 70 a is constituted by a vibration absorptionmaterial or so, such as a soft gel material and a soft adhesive. Thefirst damper material 70 a functions as a damper when the frame 60 movesto the base 10 and the circuit board 20 along the driving planeincluding the X-axis and the Y-axis, and is expected to restrainvibration. When the first damper material 70 a is constituted by an UVcuring resin or so, the first damper material 70 a has a viscosity of 10to 100 Pa·s, but has any viscosity.

As shown in FIG. 1EA, in the present embodiment, a contact area of thefirst damper material 70 a on the upper surface of the damper stand 24is preferably larger than a contact area of the damper material 70 a onthe lower surface of the corner back surface 68 or the back surfaceconvex portion 69 of the frame 60. As shown in FIG. 1EC, a contact areaof the first damper material 70 a on the upper surface of the damperstand 24 may be approximately equal to a contact area of the dampermaterial 70 a on the lower surface of the corner back surface 68 or theback surface convex portion 69 of the frame 60. As shown in FIG. 1EB,however, a contact area of the first damper material 70 a on the uppersurface of the damper stand 24 may be smaller than a contact area of thedamper material 70 a on the lower surface of the corner back surface 68or the back surface convex portion 69 of the frame 60.

In the present embodiment, the first damper materials 70 a are notarranged between the magnet 80 and the coil 30, but are arranged betweenthe damper stands 24 and the corner back surfaces 68 of the frame 60, orare arranged between the damper stands 24 and the back surface convexportions 69 of the frame 60. In addition, the space width W1 is largerthan W0. In the present embodiment, a stopper effect is thus applied bycollision between the magnet 80 and the coil 30 even if an impact by thefalling of a mobile device containing the lens drive device 2 isapplied. It is thus possible to maintain a state where the first dampermaterial 70 a is held between the damper stand 24 and the corner backsurface 68 of the frame 60 or between the damper stand 24 and the backsurface convex portion 69 of the frame 60 and favorably maintain damperproperties even after the impact.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E, an innerconvex portion 72 protruding inward is formed on each inner side of thefour corners of the frame 60. As shown in FIG. 4C, a width W2 of a spacebetween the inner convex portion 72 and the outer circumferentialsurface 47 of the lens holder 40 is preferably 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The seconddamper material 70 b is filled in the space with the width W2 (seconddamper space) and is closely in contact with the inner convex portion 72and the outer circumferential surface 47 of the lens holder 40 in thisspace. The second damper material 70 b is constituted by a similarmaterial to that of the first damper material 70 a, but is notnecessarily constituted by the completely same material.

As shown in FIG. 4D, a damper concave portion 74 is formed on the frontsurface 73 of the inner convex portion 72. The second damper material 70b is also filled in the damper concave portion 74 continuously from thespace. That is why the damper concave portion 74 functions as a gelreservoir, and the second damper material 70 b hardly falls off from thespace even if an impact is applied to the lens drive device 2.

The second dumper materials 70 b function as dampers when the lensholder 40 is driven for focus in the light axis direction (Z-axisdirection) to the frame 60 and are expected to restrain vibration. Inthe present embodiment, the second damper materials 70 b are arrangednear the four corners of the rectangular frame 60, and thus the dampermaterials 70 b at the four points can be arranged at the farthestpositions from the central axis of the lens (light axis) and function asdampers at the maximum. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 4C, one of thedamper materials 70 b at the four points may be arranged in a spacebetween the sensor component 41 attached to a part of the outercircumferential surface of the lens holder 40 and the innercircumferential surface of the frame 60.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the base portion 10 isprovided with the opening portion 12 inserted by a part of the lens 100movably along the driving plane including the first drive axis (X-axis)and the second drive axis (Y-axis). In the present embodiment, obliqueinner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 of the opening portion 12 in obliquedirections positioned in the middles of the first drive axis (X-axis)and the second drive axis (Y-axis) are larger than a first innerdiameter Dx of the opening portion 12 in the X-axis direction and arelarger than a second inner diameter Dy of the opening portion 12 in theY-axis direction.

In the present embodiment, the first inner diameter Dx and the secondinner diameter Dy are approximately equal to each other. The obliqueinner diameter Dxy1 and the oblique inner diameter Dxy2 areapproximately equal to each other. The oblique inner diameters Dxy1 andDxy2 become largest near bisectors of an intersection angle between aline along the first inner diameter Dx and a line along the second innerdiameter Dy, and approximate to the first inner diameter Dx or thesecond inner diameter Dy when approaching the line along the first innerdiameter Dx or the second inner diameter Dy.

In the present embodiment, the opening portion 12 has a polygonal shapeof n-polygon, for example, and the oblique inner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2have largest values within a range of 45 degrees (half of theintersection angle between the X-axis and the Y-axis)±(360/n) degrees tothe X-axis and the Y-axis. Incidentally, the shape of the innercircumferential surface of the opening portion 12 is not limited topolygon and may be a curved surface shape. In this case, the obliqueinner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 have largest values within a range of 45degrees (half of the intersection angle between the X-axis and theY-axis)±15 degrees.

The inner diameter of the opening portion 12 changes step by step orcontinuously from the positions having largest values of the obliqueinner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 toward the first inner diameter Dx or thesecond inner diameter Dy, but may change from largest values of theoblique inner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 toward the first inner diameter Dxor the second inner diameter Dy in a monotonously decreasing manner orin a repeatedly increasing and decreasing manner to approximate to thefirst inner diameter Dx or the second inner diameter Dy. Preferably, theoblique inner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 have a largest value that is 1.02to 1.05 times larger than the first inner diameter Dx or the secondinner diameter Dy.

In the lens drive device 2 according to the present embodiment, as shownin FIG. 6B, the oblique inner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 of the openingportion 12 in the oblique directions positioned in the middles of theX-axis and the Y-axis are larger than the first inner diameter Dx of theopening portion 12 in the X-axis direction and are larger than thesecond inner diameter Dy of the opening portion 12 in the Y-axisdirection. This configuration eliminates a risk of collision between thelens 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical convexportion 14 constituting the opening edge of the opening portion 12 notonly when the lens 100 moves in the X-axis direction or the Y-axisdirection but when the lens 100 moves in the middle of the obliquedirections between the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

Furthermore, in the lens drive device 2 according to the presentembodiment, the opening portion 12 formed in the base portion 10 doesnot have a perfect circle shape, but has a deformed shape where theinner diameters Dxy1 and Dxy2 in the oblique directions positioned inthe middles of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are largerthan the inner diameter of the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.This makes it possible to have a small outer shape of the base portion10 compared to an opening portion of a perfect circle based on maximummovement amounts to the oblique directions, and contributes todownsizing of the device. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6B, there arerooms in the oblique directions crossing the X-axis and the Y-axis, andthere is no need to broaden the outer shapes of the base portion 10 andthe circuit board 20 even if the inner diameters of the opening portion12 are increased in those directions.

When the base portion 10 and the circuit board 20 have the same outershape, the present invention can broaden the base portion 10 excludingthe opening portion 12 along the X-axis and the Y-axis compared to anopening portion of a perfect circle based on maximum movement amounts tothe oblique directions. Thus, it is possible to increase the windingnumbers of the first drive coil 30 a and the second drive coil 30 b andimprove a driving force and an accuracy of blur correction.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first drive portion includesa pair of the first drive coils 30 a positioned on both sides of theopening portion 12 along the X-axis direction and sandwiching it, andthe pair of the first drive coils 30 a is arranged in parallel to twosides of the base portion 10 opposing to each other. This configurationimproves a driving force along the X-axis direction and improves anaccuracy of blur correction.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second drive portionincludes a pair of the second drive coils 30 b positioned on both sidesof the opening portion 12 along the Y-axis direction and sandwiching it,and the pair of the second drive coils 30 b is arranged in parallel totwo sides of the base portion 10 opposing to each other. Thisconfiguration improves a driving force along the Y-axis direction andimproves an accuracy of blur correction.

Furthermore, the frame 60 has a rectangular ring shape as a whole asshown in FIG. 4A and is arranged inside the case 11 with a rectangularcylindrical shape fixed to the base 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and theoblique directions approximately correspond to diagonal line directionsof the rectangular ring shape. As shown in FIG. 6B, this configurationmakes it possible to efficiently arrange the first drive coils 30 a andthe second drive coils 30 b on the base portion 10 excluding the openingportion 12 and decrease the outer shape of the base portion 10, and thedevice 2 is downsized easily.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, thecylindrical convex portion 14 is formed along the opening edge of theopening portion 12 on the base portion 10, and the first drive coils 30a and the second drive coils 30 b are arranged around the cylindricalconvex portion 14. This configuration makes it possible to effectivelyprevent the lens 100 from colliding against the first drive coils 30 aand the second drive coils 30 b arranged around the cylindrical convexportion 14.

Dust on the surfaces of the base portion 10 and the circuit board 20becomes hard to enter the opening portion 12 due to the presence of thecylindrical convex portion 14. The lens 100 goes through the openingportion 12, and an image element or so is arranged at the rear positionof the lens 100 in the light axis direction. If dust adheres to theimage element, the quality of images to be photographed may decrease,and the opening portion 12 is preferably not entered by dust.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, a wire 32 a communicatingthe pair of the first drive coils 30 a and a wire 32 b communicating thepair of the second drive coils 30 b can be easily arranged along theouter circumferential surface of the cylindrical convex portion 14 dueto the cylindrical convex portion 14. Lead wires 34 a and 34 b of eachdrive coil 30 a and 30 b are easily connected to the circuit pattern onthe circuit board 20 by effectively utilizing the corner spaces betweenthe cylindrical convex portion 14 and each of the drive coils 30 a and30 b.

In particular, in the lens drive device 2 according to the presentembodiment, the coils are not imbedded in the coil substrate, but thefirst drive coils 30 a and the second drive coils 30 b are fixed to thefront surface as the fixed portion. Thus, the winding numbers of thedrive coils 30 a and 30 b are easily increased, and the drive coils 30 aand 30 b can have increased driving forces.

Furthermore, in the lens drive device according to the presentembodiment, the dumper stands 24 as pedestals are arranged on the frontsurface of the circuit board 20 as fixed portions, and the first dumpermaterials 70 a as vibration absorption members are filled in the firstdumper spaces between the dumper stands 24 and the corner back surfaces68 of the frame 60 as a movable portion for blur correction.

Thus, the first dumper materials 70 a become hard to fall off comparedto a case where the first dumper materials 70 a are directly filled onthe front surface of the circuit board 20 as the fixed portion. As aresult, dumper properties are improved, vibration or so can be preventedeffectively, and blur correction function is improved. Thus, it ispossible to prevent the frame 60 as the movable portion for blurcorrection from resonating in the vertical directions to the light axisagainst the circuit board 20 and the base portion 10 as the fixedportions and effectively prevent the frame 60 from resonatingparticularly in the light axis direction.

Since the dumper stands 24 as pedestals are arranged on the frontsurface of the circuit board 20 as the fixed portion, controlling theareas of the front surfaces of the dumper stands 24 makes it easy todetermine a coating amount of a gel material to be the first dumpermaterials 70 a and makes it possible to easily form a required amount ofthe first dumper materials 70 a. Furthermore, when an impact force isapplied at the time of fall, since the first dumper spaces are largerthan the driving space, stopper effect functions by the collisionbetween the drive coils 30 a and 30 b and the drive magnets 80 a and 80b, and the first dumper spaces do not disappear. Thus, the first dumpermaterials 70 a do not completely protrude from the first dumper spaces.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1D, the heights of the first drive coils30 a and the second drive coils 30 b in the Z-axis direction from thefront surface of the circuit board 20 as the fixed portion are largerthan the height of the dumper stands 24 in the Z-axis direction. Thedumper stands 24 are lower than the drive coil 30, and the first dumperspaces can be thus sufficiently larger than the driving space.

The frame 60 can be constituted by plastic or so, and it is easy tocontrol the contact surfaces with the first dumper materials 70 a andcontrol a filling amount of the first dumper materials 70 a.

Furthermore, the dumper stands 24 are respectively fixed to thepositions of the four corners on the upper surface of the circuit board20 with a rectangular plate shape. Thus, the first dumper materials 70 acan be arranged by effectively utilizing the four spaces vacant in thefront surface of the fixed portion circuit 20. The first dumpermaterials 70 a are arranged diagonally, and the distances among thefirst dumper materials 70 a can be thus increased to the maximum. As aresult, it is possible to effectively prevent a resonance in a directionof a tilt movement of the frame 60 as a movable portion for blurcorrection against the circuit board 20 and the base portion 10 as fixedmembers.

The dumper stands 24 can be constituted by a chip component, such as aceramic electronic component. In case of a chip component, a terminal(external) electrode is formed, and the chip component is easilyconnected or joined to the fixed portion such as the circuit board. Thechip component has an uneven surface and an excellent joining force witha vibration absorption member, and can further effectively prevent thevibration absorption member from falling off from a pedestal.Incidentally, the vibration absorption member may be attached to notonly the front surface of the pedestal but the side surface thereof.

In particular, in the lens drive device 2 according to the presentembodiment, the second dumper 70 b is filled at least at one point alongthe circumferential direction in the space between the outercircumferential surface of the lens holder 40 and the innercircumferential surface of the frame 60. Thus, the lens holder 40 can beeffectively restrained from resonating with the frame 60. As a result,the lens holder 40 does not resonate with the frame 60 at the time ofblur correction operation and automatic focus operation, especially atthe time of automatic focus operation, and these operations can becarried out favorably.

Furthermore, in the lens drive device 2 according to the presentembodiment, the second dumper materials 70 b are filled near the fourcorners of the frame 60 in the space between the outer circumferentialsurface of the lens holder 40 and the inner circumferential surface ofthe frame 60, and the concave portions 74 are respectively formed nearthe corners. In this configuration, the second dumper materials 70 b canbe arranged by effectively utilizing the spaces vacant in the innercircumferential surface of the frame 60, and a resonance in a directionof a tilt movement of the lens holder 40 against the frame 60 can beprevented further effectively due to the diagonal arrangement of thesecond dumper materials 70 b.

The concave portions 74 opening toward the spaces are formed atpositions where the second dumper materials 70 are filled on the innercircumferential surface of the frame 60. Thus, the concave portions 74function as reservoirs for the second dumper materials 70 b, and thesecond dumper materials 70 b do not fall off from the spaces even if thelens holder 40 moves largely against the frame 60 in the light axisdirection or the vertical directions to the light axis. In particular,the second dumper materials 70 b do not fall off from the spaces even ifthe lens holder 40 moves largely against the frame 60 in the light axisdirection or the vertical directions to the light axis due to the impactat the time of falling.

As shown in FIG. 4D, there is a room in the inner circumferentialsurface of the corner of the frame 60, and it is easy to arrange theinner convex portion 72 and form the concave portion 74 on the frontsurface 73 of the inner convex portion 72. A gel material to be thesecond dumper material 70 b is injected easily into the concave portion74, and working property is improved. Incidentally, the concave portion74 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder40, or may be formed on both the inner circumferential surface of theframe 60 and the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder 40.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1F to FIG. 1H, first stepsurfaces 64 a recessed in the light axis (Z-axis) are formed on thefront surface 64 of the frame 60 so that the spaces 63 are formedbetween the frame 60 and apart of the dividing plate spring 90 a withflat plate shape positioned between the frame attachment portion 94 aand the wire attachment portion 92 a. The first step surfaces 64 a areformed on front surfaces of a pair of step convex portions 62 a at eachcorner of the frame 60 and are positioned on both sides of the wireattachment portion 92 a. The step convex portions 62 a are formed byprotruding toward the X and Y axis directions at the front (upper) sideof the notch 62 in the Z-axis direction, and each of the step convexportion 62 a is provided with a notch 62 b that is smaller than thenotch 62. The wire attachment portion 94 a is positioned on the notches62 b.

Incidentally, FIG. 1F to FIG. 1H illustrate one dividing plate spring 90a as an example, but the other dividing plate springs 90 b to 90 d shownin FIG. 2 have similar structures and thus are not illustrated orexplained. The first step surfaces 64 are also shown in FIG. 4A.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the case 11 is arranged outside the frame 60. Anouter circumferential surface 67 of the frame 60 shown in FIG. 1F toFIG. 1H may touch the inner surface of the case 11 shown in FIG. 1A dueto a relative movement of the frame 60 to the X-Y axis directions. Inthe present embodiment, each corner of the frame 60 is provided with apair of second step surfaces 67 a recessed from the outercircumferential surface 67 of the frame 60 toward the X-axis and Y-axisdirections and adjacent to the respective first step surfaces 64 a. Thefirst step surfaces 64 a are positioned inner side of the second stepsurfaces 67 a. The first step surfaces 64 a are formed on the frontsurfaces of the step convex portions 62 a in the Z-axis direction, andthe second step surfaces 67 a are formed on the side surfaces of thestep convex portions 62 a in the X-axis direction and the Y-axisdirection.

In the present embodiment, third dumper materials 70 c are filled andarranged in the spaces 63 a between the first step surfaces 64 a and theback surface of the dividing plate spring 90 a. Preferably, the spaces63 have a width that is approximately equal to the width W1 shown inFIG. 1D or the width W2 shown in FIG. 4C. In the present embodiment,each of the first step surfaces 64 a is a contact surface with the thirddumper material 70 c. The third dumper materials 70 c are preferablyconstituted by a similar material to that of the first dumper material70 a or the second dumper material 70 b, but are not necessarilyconstituted by the same material.

The dividing plate spring 90 a is provided with one or more throughholes 98. The through hole 98 is smaller than the first step surface 64a and formed at a position where the third dumper material 70 c isarranged on the upper surface of the first step surface 64 a. Formingthe through hole 98 facilitates the filling of third dumper materials 70c into the spaces 63, maintains the continuity to the third dumpermaterials 70 c arranged on the upper surface (front surface in theZ-axis direction) of the dividing plate spring 90, and improvesvibration absorption properties.

Preferably, the third dumper material 70 c arranged on the upper surface(front surface in the Z-axis direction) of the dividing plate spring 90has a formation pattern similar to that of the third dumper material 70c filled in the space 63, but does not necessarily have the samepattern. Preferably, the third dumper material 70 c arranged on theupper surface (front surface in the Z-axis direction) of the dividingplate spring 90 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction similar to thatof the third dumper material 70 c filled in the space 63, but does notnecessarily have the same thickness.

Each of the first step surfaces 64 a has any area, but preferably has anarea that is approximately the same as an area of the upper surface ofthe dumper stand 24, where the first dumper material 70 a is arranged,for example. In the present embodiment, the third dumper materials 70 csandwich a part of the dividing plate spring 90 a from top and bottom inthe Z-axis direction at a position between the wire attachment portion92 a and the frame attachment portion 94 a.

The first step surfaces 64 a are arranged away from the wire attachmentportion 92 a at two points near the four corners of the frame 60 alongthe outer shape of the frame 60. The third dumper materials 70 c arearranged based on the shapes of the first step surfaces 64 a at twopoints along the outer shape of the frame 60 without any contact withthe wire attachment portion 92 a or the suspension wire 16.

In the present embodiment, the spaces 63 are formed between the frame 60and parts of the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d positioned betweenthe frame attachment portions 94 a to 94 d and the wire attachmentportions 92 a to 92 d, and the third dumper members 70 c as vibrationabsorption materials are arranged in the spaces 63. Thus, it is possibleto effectively prevent the frame 60 as the movable portion fromvibrating in the light axis direction in a frequency band related to theAF operation. Embodiments where the frame 60 vibrates in the light axisdirection includes an embodiment where the four corners of the frame 60vibrate uniformly in the Z-axis direction and an embodiment where thefour corners of the frame 60 vibrate non-uniformly in the Z-axisdirection. In the present embodiment, each of the third dumper materials70 c is arranged at the four corners, and the vibration can be thuseffectively prevented in any embodiments.

In the present embodiment, the third dumper materials 70 c are arranged,and thus it becomes possible to reduce a filling amount of the firstdumper materials 70 a and becomes unnecessary to accurately control afilling amount of the first dumper materials 70 a. Furthermore, when thevibration restraint of the frame 60 in the X-Y axis directions iscarried out by a means other than the first dumper materials 70 a, orwhen the vibration restraint is unnecessary, the first dumper materials70 a may not be used. In addition, when the vibration restraint of thelens holder 40 and the frame 60 in the Z-axis direction is carried outby another means, or when the vibration restraint is unnecessary, thesecond dumper materials 70 b may not be used.

As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent occurrence of aresonance point easily generated when having no third dumper materials70 c (particularly around 300 Hz, which is related to the AF operation).Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent deviation in focus even if aphotographer moves particularly when taking moving images. In addition,the spaces 63 between the parts of the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90d and the first step surfaces 64 a of the frame 60 function asreservoirs for the third dumper materials 70 c at the positions wherethe third dumper materials 70 c are arranged, and the third dumpermaterials 70 c do not fall off from the spaces 63.

In addition, the third dumper materials 70 c are arranged away from thesuspension wires 16 and the wire attachment portions 92 a to 92 d alongthe shape of the outer circumferential surface 67 of the frame 60. Thisconfiguration makes it possible to further effectively prevent the frame60 as the movable portion from vibrating in the Z-axis direction.

The wire attachment portions 92 a to 92 d are arranged outside thenotches 62 at the corners of the frame 60, and thus for example, itbecomes easy to connect tips of the suspension wires 16 and the wireattachment portions 92 a to 92 d of the dividing plate springs 90 a to90 d while maintaining a small size of the frame 60. The movement of theframe 60 in X-Y axis directions crossing the Z-axis can become smoother.The connections between the tips of the suspension wires 16 and the wireattachment portions 92 a to 92 d of the dividing plate springs 90 a to90 d are made by soldering, laser welding, or the like, and a connectionportion 16 a is formed (see FIG. 1F to FIG. 1H).

Furthermore, the first step surfaces 64 a of contact surfaces of theframe 60 touched by the third dumper materials 70 c are arranged innerside of the second step surfaces 67 a, and thus the third dumpermaterials 70 c do not touch the inner circumferential surface of thecase 11 even if the outer circumferential surface 67 of the frame 60moves in the case 11 shown in FIG. 1A and touches the innercircumferential surface of the case 11. Thus, the third dumper materials70 c hardly drop or are peeled off from predetermined positions towardthe inner circumferential surface of the case 11.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the third dumper materials 70 ctouch both surfaces of the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d in theZ-axis direction, and vibration restraint effect can be thus furtherenhanced. Furthermore, the dividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d areprovided with the through holes 98 at the positions where the thirddumper materials 70 c are arranged, and thus it becomes easier to fillthe third dumper materials 70 c via the through holes 98 and moreoverarrange the third dumper materials 70 c on both surfaces of the dividingplate springs 90 a to 90 d.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1G, the wire attachment portions 92 a to92 d have concave portions 99 recessed inside with U shape, and thus itbecomes possible to easily attach the tips of the suspension wires 16 tothe wire attachment portions 92 a via the concave portions 99 with Ushape and carry out laser welding or soldering.

As shown in FIG. 1F and FIG. 1G, an opening portion 91 is formed in thedividing plate springs 90 a to 90 d positioned between a pair of thefirst step portions 64 a positioned near the corners of the frame 60,and the wire attachment portion 92 a is formed in an intersectionportion between a pair of arm portions 96 continued from the frameattachment portions 90 a to 90 d. Each of the arm portions 96 has aportion not in contact with the third dumper material 70 c. In additionto the intersection portion between the arm portions 96, a bridgeportion 97 bridging the arm portions 96 is formed.

In this configuration, it is possible to disperse a stress concentratedon the arm portions 96 into the bridge portion 97, improve strength ofthe wire attachment portions 92 a to 92 d, and effectively prevent thetips of the suspension wires 16 from coming off the wire attachmentportions 92 a to 92 d.

The arm portions 96 have a portion where the dividing plate springs 90 ato 90 d become narrow in the middle of the arm portions 96 from theframe attachment portion 94 a toward the wire attachment portions 92 ato 92 d. Thus, the wire attachment portions 92 a to 92 d have animproved elasticity, and the buckling of the suspension wires 16 can beprevented effectively.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG.3B, the outer circumference of the lens holder 40 is provided with four(at least three, preferably four to eight) stopper convex portions 47 ain the illustrated example protruding radially outside toward the frame60 shown in FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4A, each side of the frame 60 witha rectangular ring shape is provided with a stopper concave portion 66 ahousing the stopper convex portion 47 a shown in FIG. 3A bycorresponding to the stopper convex portion 47 a.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, each of the stopper concave portions 66 ais provided with a concave bottom surface 66 a 1 and concave sidesurfaces 66 a 3. The concave bottom surface 66 a 1 can be in surfacecontact with a first convex end surface 47 a 1 of the stopper convexportion 47 a in the Z-axis direction. The concave side surfaces 66 a 3can be in contact with convex side surfaces 47 a 3 approximatelyvertically crossing the first convex end surface 47 a 1 of the stopperconvex portion 47 a. The first convex end surface 47 a 1 faces theconcave bottom surface 66 a 1 with a predetermined space, and the convexside surfaces 47 a 3 face the concave side surfaces 66 a 3 with apredetermined space.

A chamfering portion or an R curved surface portion is formed at convexintersection corners 47 a 4 and/or 47 a 5 between the first convex endsurface 47 a 1 and the convex side surfaces 47 a 3. Thus, the convexintersection corners 47 a 4 and/or 47 a 5 are configured so as not totouch concave intersection corners 66 a 4 and/or 66 a 5 between theconcave bottom surface 66 a 1 and the concave side surfaces 66 a 3.Incidentally, the concave intersection corners 66 a 4 and the convexintersection corners 47 a 4 are corners seen by the cross section of theY-Z axes as shown in FIG. 8, and the concave intersection corners 66 a 5and the convex intersection corners 47 a 5 are corners seen by the crosssection of the X-Z axes as shown in FIG. 7.

In the lens drive device 2 according to the present embodiment, as shownin FIG. 8, the convex intersection corners 47 a 4 of the stopper convexportion 47 a are provided with a chamfering portion or an R curvedsurface portion. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the convex intersectioncorners 47 a 4 are provided with a chamfering portion, and a length Z1of the chamfering portion in the Z-axis direction is approximately 30 to60% of a thickness Z0 of the stopper convex portion 47 a in the Z-axisdirection. A length Y1 of the chamfering portion in the Y-axis directionis approximately the same as the length Z1 of the chamfering portion inthe Z-axis direction, but is not necessarily identical to each other.The lengths Y1 and Z1 of the chamfering portion are configured to belarger than a size of a chamfering portion or an R curved surfaceportion of the concave intersection corners 66 a 4, and the convexintersection corners 47 a 4 do not touch the concave intersectioncorners 66 a 4.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the convexintersection corners 47 a 4 are processed into a chamfering portion, andthe concave intersection corners 66 a 4 are processed into an R curvedsurface portion, but the convex intersection corners 47 a 4 may beprocessed into an R curved surface portion. When the concaveintersection corners 66 a 4 are processed into a chamfering portion, theconvex intersection corners 47 a 4 are preferably processed into achamfering portion as well. Incidentally, if the convex intersectioncorners 47 a 4 are configured to have a size where the convexintersection corners 47 a 4 do not collide with the concave intersectioncorners 66 a 4, the convex intersection corners 47 a 4 may be processedinto an R curved surface corner, and the concave intersection corners 66a 4 may be processed into an R curved surface corner or a chamferingportion. In the present embodiment, a relation between the concaveintersection corners 66 a 5 and the convex intersection corners 47 a 5shown in FIG. 7 is the same as a relation between the concaveintersection corners 66 a 4 and the convex intersection corners 47 a 4shown in FIG. 8.

In the present embodiment, the corners 47 a 4 of the stopper convexportions 47 a (the same applies to 47 a 5) do not collide with thecorners 66 a 4 (66 a 5) of the concave portions 66 a of the frame 60even if a device including the lens drive device 2 is dropped. Thus, thecorners 47 a 4 (the same applies to 47 a 5) and 66 a 4 (the same appliesto 66 a 5) are hard to be chipped and hard to generate scrap. In thelens drive device 2, the collisions between the surfaces 47 a 1 (thesame applies to 47 a 3) of the stopper convex portions 47 a and thesurfaces 66 a 1 (the same applies to 66 a 3) of the stopper concaveportions 66 a just occur at the time of falling, and the breakage of theframe 60 and the distortion of the lens holder 40 due to a drop impactare hard to occur.

In the present embodiment, the magnetic body plate 61 and the magnet 80as the magnet component constituting a part of the drive portion in thelight axis direction are fixed to the frame 60 so as to cover openingportions 66 a 2 of the stopper concave portions 66 a in the Z-axisdirection. As a result, second convex end surfaces 47 a 2 of the stopperconvex portions 47 a positioned on the opposite side of the first convexend surfaces 47 a 1 in the Z-axis direction can be in surface contactwith the end surface in the Z-axis direction of the magnet componentconsisting of the magnet 80 and the magnetic body plate 61.

That is, the stopper convex portions 47 a are inserted into the stopperconcave portions 66 a movably in the Z-axis direction in distancesbetween the concave bottom surfaces 66 a 1 and the magnetic body plate61. The movable distances in the Z-axis direction between the concavebottom surfaces 66 a 1 and the magnetic body plate 61 are not limited,but are preferably about 30 to 60% of the thickness Z0 of the convexportions 47 a in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 8). The movabledistances in the Z-axis direction are larger than distances where theconvex portions 47 a can move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions in theconcave portions 66 a.

The movement of the lens holder 40 to the frame 60 in the Z-axisdirection is limited within the distances between the magnetic bodyplate 61 and the concave bottom surfaces 66 a 1 of the concave portions66 a of the frame 60. This configuration can effectively limit amovement range of the lens holder 40 to the frame 60 in the light axisdirection (Z-axis) without increase in the number of parts andcontributes to downsizing of the device 2. Incidentally, the spacesbetween the side surfaces 47 a 3 of the convex portions 47 a and theside surfaces 66 a 3 of the concave portions 66 a are preferably smallin a range where the movement of the lens holder 40 in the Z-axisdirection is not limited, and the contact of the side surfaces 47 a 3against the side surfaces 66 a 3 can prevent the lens holder 40 fromrotating around the light axis against the frame 60.

In the present embodiment, since the frame 60 has a rectangular ringshape and the stopper concave portion 66 a is formed on each side of therectangular ring shape, the sensor component 41 containing IC chip or so(see FIG. 4B) can be arranged at the corner of the lens holder 40 and atthe corner of the rectangular frame 60.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the stopper convex portions 47a may be provided with a thick portion 47 a 6 or 47 a 7 as shown in FIG.7. The stopper convex portions 47 a have an increased strength byforming the thick portion 47 a 6 or 47 a 7. The thick portion 47 a 6 isformed on the same side of the first convex end surface 47 a 1 at aposition not in contact with the frame 60, and the thick portion 47 a 7is formed on the same side of the second convex end surface 47 a 2 at aposition not in contact with the frame 60. The thick portions 47 a 6 and47 a 7 may gradually become thicker in the Z-axis direction toward thecenter of the light axis. This configuration improves a reinforcementfunction.

Second Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1I and FIG. 1J, a lens drive device according toanother embodiment of the present invention is different only in aconfiguration of four dividing plate springs 190 constituting a frontspring as an elastic member and is the same as the lens drive deviceaccording to First Embodiment in terms of the other parts and effects,and common parts will not be explained partially. Hereinafter, differentparts from First Embodiment will be explained mainly.

The dividing plate springs 190 of the present embodiment are notprovided with the through holes 98 or the bridge portion 97 shown inFIG. 1F and FIG. 1G. Opening portions 191 have different shapes fromthose of the opening portions 91. Arm portions 196 also have differentshapes from those of the arm portions 96. Arm attachment portions 192are similar to the concave portions 99 according to First Embodiment interms of formation of concave portions 199 with U shapes. Frameattachment portions 194 have approximately the same shapes as those ofthe frame attachment portions 94 a to 94 d according to First Embodimentexcept that the through holes 98 are not formed. The other structuresand effects of the present embodiment are similar to those of FirstEmbodiment.

Third Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1K and FIG. 1L, a lens drive device according toanother embodiment of the present invention is different only inconfigurations of four dividing plate springs 290 constituting a frontspring as an elastic member and step convex portions 262 a(corresponding to the step convex portions 62 a) of the frame 60 and isthe same as the lens drive device according to First Embodiment orSecond Embodiment in terms of the other parts and effects, and commonparts will not be explained partially. Hereinafter, different parts fromthe above-mentioned embodiments will be explained mainly.

Dividing plate springs 290 of the present embodiment are different inthe number and arrangement of through holes 298 corresponding to thethrough holes 98 shown in FIG. 1F to FIG. 1H and are also different inshape of wire attachment portions 292. The wire attachment portions 292are similar to the concave portions 99 of First Embodiment in terms offormation of concave portions 299 with U shape, but a tongue portion292α with an approximately circular shape is formed integrally with theplate spring 290 inside the concave portion 299 (light axis side oflens). At least a part (large part in the figures) of the tongue portion292α is in contact with first step surfaces 264 a of step convexportions 262 a via the third dumper materials 70 c.

Second step surfaces 267 a of the step convex portions 262 a are similarto the second step surface 67 a of the above-mentioned embodiments, buta notch 262 b of the step convex portion 262 a is narrower than thenotch 62 b of the above-mentioned embodiments. The wire attachmentportion 292 excluding the tongue portion 292α is positioned on the notch262 b. The notch 262 b has a size where the suspension wire 16 passesthrough the notch 262 b and the tongue portion 292α touches the firststep surfaces 264 a of the step convex portions 262 a via the thirddumper materials 70 c. The third dumper materials 70 c do not touch theconnection portion 16 a of the wire 16.

In the present embodiment, the opening portions 291 have differentshapes from those of the opening portions 91 of the above-mentionedembodiments, and the bridge portions 97 are not formed. Attachmentconvex portions 265 formed on the front surfaces 64 of the frame 60enter the opening portions 291 so that the dividing plate springs 290and the frame 60 are positioned. Arm portions 296 also have differentshapes from those of the arm portions 96 of above-mentioned embodiments.Furthermore, frame attachment portions 294 basically have approximatelysimilar shapes to those of the frame attachment portions 94 a to 94 d ofFirst Embodiment except that the shape and number of the through holes298 and the shape of the opening portions 291 are different.

In the present embodiment, the tongue portion 292α with an approximatelycircular shape is formed integrally with the plate spring 290 inside(light axis side of lens) the concave portion 299 of the wire attachmentportion 292. At least a part (large part in the figures) of the tongueportion 292α is in contact with the first step surfaces 264 a of thestep convex portions 262 a via the third dumper materials 70 c. That is,in the present embodiment, a part of the wire attachment portion 292touches the first step surfaces 264 a of the step convex portions 262 avia the third dumper materials 70 c in the vicinity of the connectionportion 16 a not in contact with the third dumper materials 70 c. Thisimproves resonance restraint effects and particularly improves aresonance restraint effect in blur correction directions (X-axis andY-axis directions). The other structures and effects of the presentembodiment are similar to those of First Embodiment and SecondEmbodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1M and FIG. 1N, a lens drive device according toanother embodiment of the present invention is different only inconfigurations of four dividing plate springs 390 constituting a frontspring as an elastic member and step convex portions 362 a(corresponding to the step convex portions 62 a) of the frame 60 and isthe same as the lens drive devices according to First Embodiment toThird Embodiments in terms of the other parts and effects, and commonparts will not be explained partially. Hereinafter, different parts fromthe above-mentioned embodiments will be explained mainly.

In the dividing plate springs 390 of the present embodiment, a throughhole 398 corresponding to the through hole 98 shown in FIG. 1F and FIG.1G is communicated with an opening portion 391, and the shapes of aframe attachment portion 394 and a wire attachment portion 392 aredifferent. The wire attachment portion 392 is similar to the concaveportion 199 of Second Embodiment in terms of formation of a concaveportion 399 with an U shape, but a tongue portion 392α with anapproximately semicircular shape is formed integrally with the platespring 390 inside the concave portion 399 (light axis side of lens). Atleast a part (large part in the figures) of the tongue portion 392α isin contact with first step surfaces 364 a of step convex portions 362 avia the third dumper materials 70 c.

In the present embodiment, the step convex portions 362 a are notprovided with a step surface corresponding to the second step surfaces67 a and 267 a of the above-mentioned embodiments. A notch 362 b of thestep convex portions 362 a is narrower than the notch 62 b of theabove-mentioned embodiments, but is wider than the notch 262 b. The wireattachment portion 392 excluding the tongue portion 392α is positionedon the notch 362 b.

The notch 362 b has a size where the suspension wire 16 passes throughthe notch 362 b and the tongue portion 392α touches the first stepsurfaces 364 a of the step convex portions 362 a via the third dumpermaterials 70 c. The third dumper materials 70 c do not touch theconnection portion 16 a of the wire 16. In the notch 362 b, the thirddumber material 70 c may be imbedded at the lower position of the wireattachment portion 392 in the Z-axis direction so as to avoid touchingthe wire attachment portion 392 and the connection portion 16 a. Thethird dumber material 70 c imbedded into the notch 362 b is in contactwith only the suspension wire 16 and an inner surface of the notch 362b.

In the present embodiment, the opening portions 391 have differentshapes from those of the opening portions 91 of the above-mentionedembodiments, and the bridge portions 97 are not formed. Arm portions 396also have different shapes from those of the arm portions 96 ofabove-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, frame attachment portions 394basically have approximately similar shapes to those of the frameattachment portions 94 a to 94 d of First Embodiment except that theshape and number of the through holes 398 and the shape of the openingportions 391 are different.

In the present embodiment, the tongue portion 392α with an approximatelycircular shape is formed integrally with the plate spring 390 inside(light axis side of lens) the concave portion 399 of the wire attachmentportion 392. At least a part (large part in the figures) of the tongueportion 392α is in contact with the first step surfaces 364 a of thestep convex portions 362 a via the third dumper materials 70 c. That is,in the present embodiment, a part of the wire attachment portion 392touches the first step surfaces 364 a of the step convex portions 362 avia the third dumper materials 70 c near the connection portion 16 a notin contact with the third dumper materials 70 c. This improves resonancerestraint effects and particularly improves a resonance restraint effectin blur correction directions (X-axis and Y-axis directions). The otherstructures and effects of the present embodiment are similar to those ofFirst Embodiment to Third Embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a lens drive device 2A according toanother embodiment of the present invention is different only in shapesof a frame 160 and a lens holder 140 and is the same as the lens drivedevices according to First Embodiment to Fourth Embodiments in terms ofthe other parts and effects, and common parts will not be explainedpartially. Hereinafter, different parts from the above-mentionedembodiments will be explained mainly. In the present embodiment, theframe 160 corresponds to the frame 60 of the above-mentionedembodiments, and the lens holder 140 corresponds to the lens holder 40of the above-mentioned embodiments, but common parts will not beexplained partially.

As shown in FIG. 9, the frame 160 of the present embodiment has arectangular ring shape, stopper concave portions 166 a are formed atpositions of four corners of the rectangular ring shape. The lens holder140 is provided with four stopper convex portions 147 a by correspondingto the positions. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, thestopper concave portion 166 a is provided with a concave bottom surface166 a 1 in the Z-axis direction, an opening portion 166 a 2 opening inthe Z-axis direction, and concave side surfaces 166 a 3 approximatelyvertically crossing the bottom surface 166 a 1. In the presentembodiment, a lower surface of the stopper convex portion 147 a in theZ-axis direction is a first convex end surface 147 a 1, and the firstconvex end surface 147 a 1 faces the concave bottom surface 166 a 1 andcan be in surface contact therewith. The concave side surfaces 166 a 3face convex side surfaces 147 a 3 approximately vertically crossing thefirst convex end surface 147 a 1 of the stopper convex portion 147 awith a predetermined space.

In the present embodiment, a second convex end surface 147 a 2positioned on the opposite side of the first convex end surface 147 a 1of the convex portion 147 a in the light axis direction faces the innersurface of the case 11 (shown as the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10)shown in FIG. 1A and can be in surface contact therewith. As a result,the stopper convex portion 147 a is inserted in the stopper concaveportion 166 a movably in the Z-axis direction between the concave bottomsurface 166 a 1 and the inner surface of the case 11.

As shown in FIG. 10, a chamfering portion or an R curved surface portionis formed in convex intersection corners 147 a 4 of the stopper convexportion 147 a. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the convex intersectioncorners 147 a 4 are provided with a chamfering portion and do not touchconcave intersection corners 166 a 4.

This configuration can also effectively limit a movement range of thelens holder 140 to the frame 160 in the light axis direction withoutincrease in the number of parts and contributes to downsizing of thedevice. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 147 a arearranged at the positions of the corners of the frame 160, and this caneffectively utilize the corners and contributes to downsizing of thedevice.

Sixth Embodiment

As shown by the two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8, a lens drive deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention is differentonly in formation of relief portions 66 a 6 at the concave intersectioncorners 66 a 4 and is the same as the lens drive devices according toFirst Embodiment to Fifth Embodiments in terms of the other parts andeffects, and common parts will not be explained partially. Hereinafter,different parts from the above-mentioned embodiments will be explainedmainly.

In the present embodiment, the relief portions 66 a 6 are formed so asnot to touch the convex intersection corners 47 a 4, and the convexintersection corners 47 a 4 may not be provided with a chamferingportion or an R curved surface portion. The convex intersection corners47 a 4 do not touch the concave intersection corners 66 a 4 due to therelief portions 66 a 6.

Also in the present embodiment, even if a device including the lensdrive device is dropped, the corners 47 a 4 of the stopper convexportion 47 a do not collide with the concave portions 66 a of the frame60, and the corners 47 a 4 are hard to be chipped and hard to generatescrap. In the drop of the lens drive device, the collision between thesurfaces 47 a 1 and 47 a 3 of the stopper convex portion 47 a and thesurfaces 66 a 1 and 66 a 3 of the stopper concave portion 66 a justoccurs, and the breakage of the frame 60 and the distortion of the lensholder 40 due to a drop impact are hard to occur.

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments and may be changed variously. For example,the dumper stands 24 as pedestals are fixed to the surface of thecircuit board 20 by reflowing or so, but may be formed integrally withthe circuit board.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the rear convex portions 69protruding toward the dumper stands 24 are formed on the corner backsurfaces 68 of the frame 60 as a movable portion for blur correction,but are not necessarily formed. Providing the rear convex portions 69makes it easier to adjust a space width of the first dumper space alongthe Z-axis direction, but the rear convex portions 69 should not existdepending on the height of the dumper stands 24 in the Z-axis direction,for example.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the first drive axis and the seconddrive axis are arranged in parallel to each side of the base portion 10and the circuit board 20 with rectangular plate shapes, but are notlimited thereto. For example, the first drive coils 30 a and the seconddrive coils 30 b may be arranged so that the first drive axis and thesecond drive axis are arranged diagonally on the base portion 10 and thecircuit board 20 with rectangular plate shapes.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the single two-waymagnet 80 has two functions of the blur correction magnet and theautomatic focus magnet, but separate magnets may be prepared andmounted.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the first drive axis and the seconddrive axis have an intersection angle of 90 degrees, but may have anintersection angle other than 90 degrees in the present invention.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the four suspension wires 16 areused as a means of holding the frame 60 as a movable portion for blurcorrection movably along the driving plane (including the X-axis and theY-axis) against the base portion 10 as a fixed portion, but the numberof the suspension wires is not limited to four and is any plurality.

The front springs 90 and 190 as an elastic member are not limited to aplate spring with a flat plate shape divided into four pieces, and mayconsist of two pieces, four or more pieces, or a single spring.

Furthermore, the support portion is not limited to the suspension wire16, and may be a plate spring, a ball bearing, or another supportportion. The tongue portion 292α or 392α in Third Embodiment or FourthEmbodiment mentioned above is not limited to an approximately circularshape or an approximately semicircular shape, and may be also preferablyan approximately oval shape, an approximately semi-oval shape, atrapezoid shape, or another polygonal shape. The tongue portions 292αand 392α preferably have a specific shape becoming wider from the wireattachment portion 292 or 392 toward a protrusion direction. In such ashape, it is possible to increase a contact surface with the thirddumper material 70 c without interfering with the arm portions 296 or396, and vibration restraint effect is improved.

NUMERICAL REFERENCES

-   2 . . . lens drive device-   10 . . . base portion-   11 . . . case-   12 . . . base opening portion-   14 . . . cylindrical convex portion-   16 . . . suspension wire-   16 a . . . connection portion-   18 a, 18 b . . . position sensor-   20 . . . circuit board-   22 . . . board opening portion-   23 . . . connector portion-   24 . . . dumper stand-   30 . . . blur correction coil-   30 a . . . first drive coil-   30 b . . . second drive coil-   40, 140 . . . lens holder-   41 . . . sensor component-   42 . . . front surface-   43 a to 43 d . . . attachment convex portion-   44 a, 44 b . . . plate spring attachment portion-   45 . . . back surface-   46 . . . focus coil-   47 . . . outer circumferential surface-   47 a, 147 a . . . stopper convex portion-   47 a 1, 147 a 1 . . . first convex end surface-   47 a 2, 147 a 2 . . . second convex end surface-   47 a 3, 147 a 3 . . . convex side surface-   47 a 4, 47 a 5, 147 a 4 . . . convex intersection corner-   47 a 6, 47 a 7 . . . thick portion-   48 . . . inner circumferential surface-   49 . . . step portion-   50 . . . rear spring-   50 a, 50 b . . . dividing plate spring-   52 a, 52 b . . . frame attachment portion-   54 a, 54 b . . . holder attachment portion-   55 a to 55 d . . . meandering portion-   60, 160 . . . frame-   61 . . . magnetic body plate-   62 . . . notch-   62 a, 262 a, 362 a . . . step convex portion-   62 b, 262 b, 362 b . . . notch-   63 . . . space-   64 . . . front surface-   64 a, 264 a, 364 a . . . first step surface-   65, 265 . . . attachment convex portion-   66 . . . magnet attachment concave portion-   66 a, 166 a . . . stopper concave portion-   66 a 1, 166 a 1 . . . concave bottom surface-   66 a 2, 166 a 2 . . . opening portion-   66 a 3, 166 a 3 . . . concave side surface-   66 a 4, 66 a 5, 166 a 4 . . . concave intersection corner-   66 a 6 . . . relief portion-   67 . . . outer circumferential surface-   67 a, 267 a . . . second step surface-   68 . . . corner back surface-   69 . . . rear convex portion-   70 a . . . first dumper material-   70 b . . . second dumper material-   70 c . . . third dumper material-   72 . . . inner convex portion-   73 . . . front surface-   74 . . . dumper concave portion-   80 . . . two-way magnet-   80 a . . . first drive magnet-   80 b . . . second drive magnet-   90 . . . front spring-   90 a to 90 d, 190, 290, 390 . . . dividing plate spring-   91, 191, 291, 391 . . . opening portion-   92 a to 92 d, 192, 292, 392 . . . wire attachment portion (support    attachment portion)-   292α, 392α . . . tongue portion-   93 a to 93 d . . . holder attachment portion-   94 a to 94 d, 194, 294, 394 . . . frame attachment portion-   95 a to 95 d . . . meandering portion-   96, 196, 296, 396 . . . arm portion-   97 . . . bridge portion-   98, 298, 398 . . . through hole-   99, 199 . . . concave portion-   100 . . . lens

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lens drive device comprising: a lensholder capable of holding at least one lens; a frame arranged around thelens holder and holding the lens holder relatively movable along a lightaxis of the lens; and a drive portion in a light axis direction movingthe lens holder relatively to the frame along the light axis, wherein atleast three stopper convex portions protruding toward the frame areformed on an outer circumference of the lens holder, stopper concaveportions housing each of the stopper convex portions are formed on theframe correspondingly to the stopper convex portions, the stopperconcave portion is provided with a concave bottom surface capable ofbeing in surface contact with a first convex end surface of the stopperconvex portion in the light axis direction and a concave side surfacecapable of being in surface contact with a convex side surface crossingthe first convex end surface of the stopper convex portion, a convexintersection corner between the first convex end surface and the convexside surface is provided with one of a chamfering portion and an Rcurved surface portion so as not to touch a concave intersection cornerbetween the concave bottom surface and the concave side surface, theframe is provided with a magnet component constituting a part of thedrive portion in the light axis direction, the magnet component isattached to the frame so that a second convex end surface of the stopperconvex portion positioned on an opposite side of the first convex endsurface in the light axis direction can be in surface contact with anend surface of the magnet component in the light axis direction, and thestopper convex portion is inserted in the stopper concave portion so asto be movable between the concave bottom surface and the magnetcomponent in the light axis direction.
 2. The lens drive deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the frame has a polygonal ring shape, andthe stopper concave portions are formed at positions of sides of thepolygonal ring shape.
 3. The lens drive device according to claim 2,wherein the stopper convex portion is provided with a thick portion thatis located at the side of the light axis of the stopper convex portionand is thicker than a tip of the stopper convex portion.
 4. The lensdrive device according to claim 3, wherein the thick portion is formedon the same side as the first convex end surface at a position not incontact with the frame.
 5. The lens drive device according to claim 1,wherein the stopper convex portion is provided with a thick portion thatis located at the side of the light axis of the stopper convex portionand is thicker than a tip of the stopper convex portion.
 6. The lensdrive device according to claim 5, wherein the thick portion is formedon the same side as the first convex end surface at a position not incontact with the frame.
 7. The lens drive device according to claim 6,wherein the thick portion gradually becomes thicker in the light axisdirection toward a center of the light axis.
 8. The lens drive deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the thick portion gradually becomesthicker in the light axis direction toward a center of the light axis.9. A lens drive device comprising: a lens holder capable of holding atleast one lens; a frame arranged around the lens holder and holding thelens holder relatively movable along a light axis of the lens; and adrive portion in a light axis direction moving the lens holderrelatively to the frame along the light axis, wherein at least threestopper convex portions protruding toward the frame are formed on anouter circumference of the lens holder, stopper concave portions housingeach of the stopper convex portions are formed on the framecorrespondingly to the stopper convex portions, the stopper concaveportions are provided with a concave bottom surface capable of being insurface contact with a first convex end surface of the stopper convexportion in the light axis direction and a concave side surface capableof being in surface contact with a convex side surface crossing thefirst convex end surface of the stopper convex portion, a concaveintersection corner between the concave bottom surface and the concaveside surface is provided with a relief portion so as not to touch aconvex intersection corner between the first convex end surface and theconvex side, the frame is provided with a magnet component constitutinga part of the drive portion in the light axis direction, the magnetcomponent is attached to the frame so that a second convex end surfaceof the stopper convex portion positioned on an opposite side of thefirst convex end surface in the light axis direction can be in surfacecontact with an end surface of the magnet component in the light axisdirection, and the stopper convex portion is inserted in the stopperconcave portion so as to be movable between the concave bottom surfaceand the magnet component in the light axis direction.